Date of Award

2007

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Nursing (MN)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Beth McCay

Abstract

This exploratory study examined risk factors and protective resources for suicidal ideation among street youth in four community agencies in Metro Toronto. A secondary data analysis of 65 street youth from a collaborative project funded by the Wellesley Institute was undertaken to explore the relationships between suicidal ideation and age, gender, sexual orientation, history of physical/sexual abuse, depression, hopelessness, self-esteem, social connectedness and resilience. Results of the analysis revealed that high levels of slef-esteem, social connectedness and resilience are protective of suicidal thought, while an increase in age, being unsure of one's sexual orientation, and a high level of depression, as well as hopelessness were found to be risk factors for suicidal ideation. A history of physical abuse and/or sexual abuse was not found to be significantly related to suicidal ideation at a 0.05 level, but for this study, it was not considered to be significant (significance level set at 0.01). Implications of these findings are discussed.


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